Resolution on a Joint Statement by the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on European Union Development Policy: 'The European Consensus on Development'

The European Parliament adopted a resolution giving its assent to the Joint Statement by the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on European Union Development Policy: 'The European Consensus on Development".Itwelcomed the initiative by the Commission to revise and update the 2000 Development Policy Statement and in particular to involve Parliament in this process. It also welcomed the Commission's resolve to ensure that all its services and delegations managing the programming of Community development assistance use the "European Consensus on Development" as the key reference for the Community's objectives for implementation of all development cooperation.

For the first time the EU and its Member States have agreed to act together to promote a common EU vision of development.  Parliament was particularly satisfied with the resolve expressed by the signatories of the "European Consensus on Development":

-to stress that poverty eradication and the achievement of the MDGs are the overarching objectives of EU development policy,

-to ensure policy coherence for development and to harmonise procedures between the Community, the Member States and other donors,

-to define more clearly the specific role of the Commission, and

-to stimulate debate and dialogue with local economic and social partners on development policy and the implementation of the MDGs.

Parliament did, however, regret that only scant reference is made to children's rights, which should be mainstreamed into all development activities. It also regretted that Parliament's strong emphasis in the negotiations on human development, in particular both health and education, had not been fully taken on board in the Statement.

Parliament expressed its satisfaction that a truly inclusive and transparent negotiating process between Parliament, the Council and the Commission has made it possible to obtain a "European Consensus on Development". Many of Parliament's suggestions have been incorporated into the document. The Council and the Commission are asked to regard this process as a model for future negotiations on crucial policy matters.